Who doesn't like a book set in a quaint English village bookstore?! I loved getting to know the villagers, as well as the romance budding between Evie and Roane. Perhaps it was a bit long, but otherwise a delight.

I have very mixed results with Samantha Young. Love some of her indie titled, but I hated Fight or Flight, this one unfortunately fell in the middle for me. I didn't feel as engaged with the characters as I wanted to, the plot sounded so cute in the synopsis too. I may have just read this one in the wrong headspace, but for now its a DNF.

This story was super cute and made me want to travel to small towns in the UK, but it was overall a bit too predictable for me--I ended up guessing the factor towards the end of the story that comes between the two lovers, and there wasn't much else surprising or satisfying about it. And while I enjoyed hearing about the relationships of the other people in the small town, but those stories ended up slowing down the main story too much for me.

I enjoyed this one a lot. I love Samantha Young's work in the past and this is no different. The romance was great and the cast of characters are wonderful.

I loved the premise of this book because the main character does exactly the thing all of us book lovers dream of: Leaving everything behind, moving to Europe and running a bookshop in a quaint village. Of course, she meets a sexy single farmer when she's there, too! This was a fun, quick, charming read. I really loved the characters. The only thing I didn't love about this book was the major conflict at the end - you know how in every romance novel something happens toward the end of the book to potentially "ruin" the relationship but then the leads get back together? Well, I won't spoil what that is in this book, but it seemed really abrupt and untrue to the characters a bit. It just felt out of place. I still really enjoyed this one, though.

Evie does the thing we all dream of, booking a vacation in a sleepy English village where she gets to play bookseller for a week. She's escaping a frustrating work environment and looking for a little perspective. What she's not looking for is a romantic entanglement with a local farmer. The late reveal that pushes our lovers apart is not the most convincing, and Evie herself is a bit grating. Those who're reading this for the bookstore vacation setting will appreciate a little bit of village life, but may not bond with the characters. Still a fun read, but not a classic.

For the most part, I did enjoy this book. It was a light, quick read that didn't require much concentration. Once again, this novel portrayed a character who was uncomfortable with her size and didn't think the sexy single farmer would find her attractive. This stereotype is getting old. I enjoyed the book's idea of the main character going to England to run a bookstore. That sounds like an amazing opportunity.

I enjoyed the 2nd half of the book a lot more than the first half. I got a little slogged down in the details of all the residents of the town and their interacting storylines.
I did enjoy reading about living in the bookstore.
I also found Evie’s reaction to Roane’s big secrets a bit over the top. I have a hard time believing that someone would be that upset to find out that their SO is actually very rich and slightly younger than they are.

4.5 stars

I was so excited to read this book. Samantha Young is a must read author for me. She always writes stories that pull you in and have you falling for the characters.

This book was unique and such a fun read. I alway know when I pick up a Samantha Young book I am going to get a well written story I can’t put down. Much Ado About You was such a great read and highly recommend it.

I really wanted to love this book, it seemed to check off a lot of my wants; Literature loving main character (Evie), small town feels and vibes, plus DOG! I thought it would have been a match made in romance heaven for me, but sadly I just couldn't get into it. There was just one main problem. Evie. I just couldn't click with her.

At first I was sympathetic, she just got passed up for a promotion even though she probably deserved it (I hear you Evie!) She also gets stood up on a date, which is tough but is it enough to completely swear off men? No, especially when she has only been talking to the person and has never actually met them. Evie then makes a spontaneous trip to run a bookstore for a month in another country, yep we all need a change of scenery once in a while. This is understandable.

She then meets Roane when she saves his dog from being hit by a car. He's sweet and funny and so very obviously into her but since she has sworn off guys...basically this is where I lost any connection with her. Any conflict that arose between her and Roane was of her own making, she was basically her own worse enemy. I was hoping for Evie to develop character grown but everything just felt so forced. At the end of the day this book just didn't live up to what I hoped it would be.

Overall, not my cup of tea but it may be yours.

Super cute and fun! Definitely a lighthearted, romantic read perfect for a rainy afternoon. If you love bookstores and all things literary, this is for you!

This story was so sweet and so much fun. It was emotional at times and absolutely beautiful. It definitely left me smiling. I was pulled into this story from the first page and fell in love with these characters. I love Samantha's writing and I definitely can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

It's not a good sign when it feels like a chore to read a story.

I skimmed though after about 25%. Evie's reason for swearing off of men was just ridiculous, IMO. Everything felt so manufactured: the romance and then the final conflict. And, apparently, Evie's this giant special snowflake as soon as she sets foot in Alnster just had me scratching my head. I didn't get it.

Lots of other readers loved the story so maybe it's just me.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy of Much Ado About You by Samanthan Young in exchange for my honest review.

I have read several of Samantha Young's books, but this one may be my favorite of them all so far!  I finished this one a little bit ago and I totally have it on my agenda to watch The Holiday again soon! I know the similarities between them only go so far, but I had total The Holiday vibes the whole time I was reading it. 

Evie has some rotten luck when it comes to men and dating. She's in her early 30s and the pressure to have a husband and kids at her age is only making it worse. She recognizes that she needs a break so she doesn't have a breakdown. I loved the impulse decision to go somewhere new and try something new just for herself. 

Roane Robson was the perfect love interest for Evie. I loved that Young built the friendship part of the relationship up first before the romantic part. The slow burn was great, and the HEA was perfect for me! 

I also adored all the secondary characters in the book.  The characters and the setting just made for such a charming book!

I love the concept of this book and would DREAM of getting away for a month to a seaside village in the UK and run a book store. I mean…YES PLEASE.

But I have to admit that I found the story in and of itself a bit slow and struggled to finish it. I put the book down a few times, tried to come back to it, but it ultimately didn’t hold my attention enough to finish it.

Ugh is there anything better then a romance novel set in a bookstore? I think not! I’m a huge Samantha Young fan and will pick up any romance she puts out so I was already really excited for this one and I must say it’s my favourite of hers! It was sweet with a ton of heart it had me tearing up and swooning I would high recommend

I loved this book! There is nothing better than an awesome romantic tale with a bookshop in England as a backdrop. Add in an adorable dog and it checks so many boxes!

Much Ado About You by Samantha Young
• contemporary romance

Rating: 3.5 stars
(I round up my star ratings for halfs)

I feel guilty writing this review because I read this book so long ago and put this off for so long.
I don’t usually do that, but I didn’t know what to say.
I absolutely adore Samantha Young’s books, especially the ones that singe the page, so this one was a miss for me personally. It’s a sweet romance and perfect for so many readers, but not really my thing and it wasn’t what I was expecting. Not the author’s fault and will definitely continue to read more from her.

It would make an absolutely perfect date night movie though!!


Interest: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Heat: 1./5
Happy Ending: Yes
Cliff Hanger: No
Would I recommend: if you like sweet romance stories


*** I was given an UNCORRECTED PROOF copy of this book for an honest review by the publisher through Net Galley ***

Samantha Young could pretty much write a romance about toads and I’d be smitten. Much Ado About You is her newest contemporary romance about second chances with a fairy tale feel. Bonus, our heroine is depicted as a typical thirty-something woman who just hasn’t found true love yet. And because she’s more “normal” I feel like it makes the story that much more enjoyable for the common reader.
Evie Starling is in need of a fresh start. Clue number 1? A job opening that should have been a no-brainer promotion for her goes to someone else. Clue number 2? Her boyfriend turns out to far from the love of her life. And so, Evangeline decides to take a trip overseas. Leave her job, leave her failed relationship, and escape to a quaint English village, overseeing the Much Ado About Books bookstore, while renting the apartment upstairs.
Evie soon finds herself falling in love with the culture and people of the village. Add in one confident and handsome farmer who sparks her attention, why would she ever want to leave? But Evie is realistic and knows this is just a holiday getaway. Because how likely would it be for to pursue a relationship with Roane Robson when she is only there temporarily? Add in the fact she lives across an ocean.
But Roane is persistent. Even if she doesn’t want a romantic relationship, their mutual attraction cannot be ignored. As they spend more time together, she soon learns that her expectations and preconceived notions may not always reflect real life, nor are they necessarily accurate.
As with many romances, there are secrets to uncover, misunderstandings to overcome, and realizations to be had. Bonus, there’s a secondary romance story in the village that also made my heart squee. I so enjoyed this contemporary romance, and while Evie and Roane don’t always make the smartest decisions when it comes to their relationship, they do finally lay it all out on the line when it matters. And the ending is a bit swoon-worthy for me, with a nod to that fairy-tale mood I mentioned earlier.

Super cute romance! I love the idea of living and working above a bookstore. If I were single, I’d totally look into this.

It’s been a long time since I read a contemporary romance and this was just what the doctor ordered. Small town. Hot guy. Lonely girl. What could go wrong?